Pakistani cricketers created history by beating arch-rival India for the first time in a T20 World Cup match on Sunday.
Pakistan’s 10-wicket win interrupted a decades-long defeat that began in 1992. Pakistan has the dubious record to lose all 12 of their previous World Cup matches against India.
After more than two years of COVID-19, the two teams clashed in the 2021 T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Stadium.
Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam won the toss and was decided to field which paid off as fast bowler Shaheen Afridi produced an early breakthrough, dismissing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in his first two overs.
Indian captain Virat Kohli, who is playing his last World Cup as a skipper, scored 57 off 49 balls, while wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant’s 39 off 30 deliveries helped the 2007 T20 champions put a modest total of 151 runs.
Pakistani openers Azam (68) and Mohammad Rizwan (79) produced a batting masterclass to chase down the 152-run target without losing a wicket and finish the game in the 18th.
Afridi, who took three wickets, was declared man of the match.
It was Pakistan’s first-ever victory by ten wickets against any opposition in a T20 match, while India also lost by such a margin for the first time.
Celebrations in Pakistan
The cricket crazed nation took to the streets across Pakistan to celebrate the rare victory.
Jubilant crowds were seen dancing to the drum-beating while celebratory gunfire erupted in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, opposition leaders Shahbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other politicians congratulated Pakistan for their victory.
“The nation is proud of you all,” Khan, who is currently in Saudi Arabia on an official visit, said in a Twitter post.
The Pakistan Army chief Gen. Qamar Bajwa also congratulated the Pakistan team for the “outstanding performance,” saying it “has made us all proud.”
Indian reaction
In India most politicians including PM Narndra Modi shunned the Indian team for their defeat.
“I played the team that I thought was the best,” said Virat Kohli when asked whether India should’ve played Ishan Kishan ahead of Rohit Sharma.